Many people don’t think about their HVAC systems until they all the sudden quit working. It is sometimes tricky to find the right individual to fix a good HVAC contractor. The tips that follow will help you have no issues with the process.
Always make sure you are up-to-date about your HVAC unit. Learn the brand, model, and if you have it, the maintenance history. That way you can provide the contractor with all the necessary information.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you give your chosen contractor the necessary information.
Clean your fan blades and coils when the weather begins to warm. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit regularly.
Before the summer you should clean out your condenser fan’s blades and coils. Turn off your power before doing any job like this. Remove leaves and debris from the outdoor unit.
10 Drops
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser at least once each year. You will see rubber or metal caps covering them. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
Make sure that you do not cover your outdoor components with grass clippings when you are trimming the grass. Make sure you shoot the clippings in the other direction from the unit. The same goes for blowing leaves, so always be careful if you are moving debris near your HVAC devices.
Put outdoor unit in places with shade.
Make sure your HVAC systems is checked at least twice a year. This should be checked often for debris and the spring.
Outdoor condenser units need to be turned off when the weather turns cold. To prevent damage, turn off your unit if the outside temperature is less than 60 degrees. This helps the system last much longer and will have to be repaired less often.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double pane ones. This same effect also helps retain heated air in during the winter months.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help you out when it comes to your power bills. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a computer.
Save energy use and money by turning off the air conditioner if there is nobody home. Sure, the temp will rise, but no one is home anyway. When you keep it on, you will be using electricity.
During a maintenance visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. These easy to do things will keep your system to run its best.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something that’s happening to you, disable the compressor by switching the thermostat to run the fan only. You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
To help you pick a good HVAC contractor, carefully search for information that offers honest reviews about the companies that you might be looking to hire. A good start would be the BBB to see if there are any complaints, then search online for review sites where you can see what actual customers had to say about their experience. These steps can help ensure you make the smartest and most informed choice.
Companies with proven track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring a new contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save a lot of cash if you take the time to call around before you decide. Call around to find out what the best rates.
You should always review the experience and history of an HVAC specialist before hiring them. Someone that has been in the business for a while probably isn’t going to scam you. Working with someone that does not yet have a reputation in the business is a bit riskier.
Think about having a radiant barrier in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system can run better. It ensures that your home cool when it’s hot outside. You could even find that you can use your attic space more effectively.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your existing system is not be working efficiently. When you repair the leaks, you may see that the testing pays for itself.
If you don’t know who to call to maintenance, repair, or install your HVAC, search for reviews online. There are a lot of sites these days that let customers talk about their experiences with contractors. This will be an excellent way to locate people you should work with and people that may not work well with you.
Make sure they have tight seals to keep air inside. You can get a professional out to help you test them.
Square Footage
Before you decide on the location of your air conditioning unit, take a look at the air flow direction. Make sure you have plenty of air flow control options if you are forced to install the unit in a corner.
Measure the living area you wish to cool before going air conditioning. You will need about 20 BTU per square footage of room space. If you need to cool multiple rooms, add together their square footage to reach this calculation.
If you have no choice but to put it in the corner, use one that doesn’t blow into the wall.
The services you are paying a contractor to do should be clearly spelled out in your contract. There are contractors that will try to overcharge you later for things like fuel charges and material fees. Having a good written contract can help avoid issues like this.
Hopefully, you now understand more about HVAC systems in general. Next time you have trouble with your unit, you will now be much better prepared. Refer back to this article as necessary to make sure that you’re on the right track.